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Ethiopia Historic Tour

Join us for a journey through one of Africa's least explored countries. As we travel along the Historic Route, we visit rock-hewn churches, ancient obelisks and the forbidden Medieval town of Harar. We also see many of the country's astonishing natural wonders, from the dramatic Tississat Falls to the rugged Simien mountain range.

Tour Highlights

Lalibela - Explore impressive churches carved in rocks.

Bahar Dar - Walk to the top of Tississat Falls, the Water that Smokes.

Axum - Obelisks, temples and palaces in the final resting place of the Ark of Covenant.

Simien Mountains - Rugged and spectacular mountain scenery.

Gondar - Exceptionally well preserved castles from the 17th Century.

Harar - A medieval walled city and the cradle of Islam in Ethiopia.

Awash Saba - A National Park dominated by a dormant volcano, home to mammals and predators.

Itinerary

1

Join tour Addis Ababa, fly Dire Dawa, drive Harar

Upon your arrival in Addis Ababa, you may be struck by how modern Ethiopia's capital is. At an altitude of 2438 metres, the city is barely more than a century old and is home to some elegant buildings set along wide streets, dispersed with plenty of green space.
Prior to our flight to Dire Dawa later this afternoon, you will have use of a day room in which to freshen up and relax. You may choose to use the time to explore some of Addis, maybe visiting Mercato -one of the largest open markets in Africa.
After our arrival in the plains of Dire Dawa, we ascend by road to the walled city of Harar, where we will spend the next two nights. Nestled into a hillside, the city walls are pierced by five gates topped by 25 towers.

Overnight: Simple HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
None

2

In Harar; exploring the medieval city on foot

Harar is the cradle of Islam in Ethiopia and, by the Middle Ages, had become known as the fourth most sacred city in the Islamic world. It remained closed to outsiders for centuries - even when the Victorian scholar Burton visited, he entered the city disguised as a Turkish trader. Later, the poet Rimbaud became enchanted by Harar's people and the house where he spent some of his happiest days still stands. This morning, we will spend time exploring the city's narrow alleyways. As well as taking in the 16th century mosque with its slender minaret, we will also visit one of the most colourful markets in Africa.

Overnight: Simple HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

3

Drive to Awash Saba; visit Awash National Park

Today, on our drive to Awash National Park, we will visit the town of Aweday - home to the country's largest chat market (a mildly stimulating plant).
The scenic Awash National Park is situated in the dry acacia savanna of the Rift Valley. The skyline of the park is dominated by the jagged edges of Mount Fantelle - a dormant volcano whose crater towers above the surrounding bush. This afternoon, we will have an opportunity to visit its splendid waterfall, spilling into a 150 metre gorge. We may also have the chance to spot some of the park's wildlife. The most visible large mammals are the Beisa oryx, Soemmering's gazelle and the Slat's dik-dik. The park also boasts lions, hyenas and jackals, although these are seen less frequently.

Overnight: Simple HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

4

Drive to Addis; orientation tour

Driving back to Addis via the Rift Valley Lakes, we aim to arrive in the capital this afternoon, before taking a tour of the main highlights. This will include the Ethnographic Museum and the Church of the Holy Trinity, whose large dome and slender pinnacles make it a landmark in the city.

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

5

Fly to Bahar Dar

Today, we take a morning flight north to Bahar Dar, capital of the Amhara region and situated on the shores of Lake Tana.
In the afternoon, we visit a viewpoint close to the source of the Blue Nile. With tremendous views over Bahar Dar and Lake Tana, we can pause to consider the tremendous distance this body of water must now travel to reach its mouth in the Delta region of Lower Egypt and the Mediterranean.

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

6

At Bahar Dar; visit Tississat Falls

This morning's visit takes us a short distance south of Bahar Dar to Tississat Falls, also known as Blue Nile Falls. After crossing a 16th century Portuguese-built bridge, we walk for approximately 45 minutes up the hillside on an easy path to a viewpoint. From here, it is easy to understand the Amharic translation for these falls - 'the water that smokes'. Once, these falls were the second most magnificent in Africa, after Victoria Falls. Unfortunately, the construction of a nearby hydroelectric plant dramatically reduces their volume on occasions, but they are still an impressive sight to behold. There may also be the opportunity to extend our exploration to a two-hour circular walk, including a short boat crossing of the Nile, should this appeal.
After returning to Bahar Dar for lunch, we take a boat trip on Lake Tana. Making a stop on the Zeghie Peninsula, we are shown round the Ura Kidane Meret Church by a local guide. Part of the Complex of the Convent of Mercy and dating back to Medieval times, its walls are painted with numerous murals and it contains valuable manuscripts and religious treasures.

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

7

Drive to Gondar, castle visit

Today we drive to Gondar, located on the high plateau just north of Lake Tana. The town was the imperial capital of Ethiopia for 200 years. Gondar's most famous monuments are its exceptionally well preserved 17th century castles. The largest and best is that of King Fasilidas. It is a stone-built construction with round turrets and wooden balconies. The king also built remarkable baths a mile or so outside of town known as the 'Pavilion of Delight'. This whole complex of buildings is unique in Ethiopia and unlike anything found elsewhere in Africa.
This afternoon, as well as visiting the baths and the castle ruins, we'll also make a visit to the Debre Berhan Selassie Church, famed for its ceiling frescoes of many faces.

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

8

Drive to Debark,

A morning's drive takes us to Debark, the village base for hiking in the Simien Mountains. The range lies north of Gondar and many of the peaks rise above 4000 metres. The highest is Mount Ras Dashen at 4543 metres, the fifth highest in Africa. The mountains are criss-crossed with tracks worn out by the local people travelling from village to village, or moving their animals to fresh pastures. The combination of these tracks and the spectacular scenery make for excellent walking.
This afternoon, we will take a short walk around the village that will be our base for the next two nights.

Overnight: Simple HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

9

In the Simien Mountains

Today we plan to explore the Simien Mountains National Park on foot .We'll keep an eye out for some of Ethiopia's endemic mammals, the walia ibex, gelada baboon and the rare Simien fox - misnamed as it is not really a fox, but a member of the dog family.
Today's walk will take approximately four hours, with plenty of stops. It is, of course, completely optional for those who would prefer not to take part.

Overnight: Simple HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

10

Drive to Axum

Today's full day's drive to Axum takes us over the Simien Mountains and through the Tekeze Valley. Although the roads are rough and dusty, the views in this remote part of Ethiopia are simply spectacular and more than make up for them. The route is dotted with intermittent mountain hamlets that add to the splendour. We will enjoy plenty of stops for photo opportunities.
The sacred city of Axum sits in the Tigrayan region and was the capital of the Ethiopian empire between the 1st and 10th centuries AD. As the birthplace of Christianity within the country, it was also a bustling commercial centre. We can look forward to a two night stay here.
Please note: Should the road to Axum be impassable due to weather conditions, we will return to Gondar and fly to Axum.

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

11

Sightseeing in Axum

We will spend today exploring Axum by bus and on foot with a local guide. Evidence of its former importance now lies in several places in or near the town. Ruined fortresses, palaces and churches, plus an abundance of giant obelisks, or 'stelae', stand as mute reminders of its former glory. Axum claims to be the final resting place of the sacred Ark of the Covenant. But while its local guardians continue to celebrate the legend, the object of their veneration is kept strictly under wraps.

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

12

Fly to Lalibela; visit rock cut churches

Today we will fly to Lalibela for a two-night stay in one of the world's most remarkable historic sites. Although churches carved in rock are found in other parts of the world, those found in Ethiopia are particularly interesting. Generally, they were excavated on all sides of a rectangle, leaving a large block of granite isolated in the centre. This rock was then shaped and formed both inside and out and the carvings show extremely skilful workmanship.
Lalibela, the New Jerusalem, is thought to have been constructed some 800 years ago by King Lalibela as his capital city. These days, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a small village. This afternoon's tour involves a certain amount of scrambling through a labyrinth of tunnels. The churches stand in two main groups on either side of a stream, known locally as 'The River Jordan'. There are 11 rock-cut churches, of which the most impressive is Bet Giorgis. It is carved in the form of a Greek cross and approached through a passage in the rock. Between them, these rock-cut churches are one of the great wonders of the world.

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

13

In Lalibela; mule trek

Located among the mountains that encircle Lalibela are several more isolated churches. Using mules, we journey for some two hours to Ashatan Maryam Church and are rewarded with stunning views over Lalibela and the peaks and mountains of these remote highlands. Reached by steep shale paths, it will be necessary to dismount in places due to the terrain. Good footwear is a must. Vertigo sufferers or people with a low level of fitness may choose not to partake in the mule trek, your tour leader can advise you.
This afternoon we return to Lalibela, allowing more time to explore the rock-cut churches.

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

14

In Lalibela, fly Addis, tour ends

After a free morning in Lalibea to visit churches that you may not yet have seen, we take a flight back to Addis Ababa, where the tour ends.

Tour notes

Each departure date has it's own dedicated tour note, detailing all you need to know about that tour. Whether you've already booked, or weighing up your options, please choose carefully the relevant itinerary for you.

We have the following different versions of the Blue Nile & Lalibela tour available at present.

Why Book this tour

This tour is for travellers who want to get to grips with Ethiopia and really understand the culture of this fascinating country. Many other operators just visit the highlights in Ethiopia, but on this tour you will also explore Harar and Awash National Park, a great opportunity to get off the beaten track and witness untamed Ethiopia.